Need for Speed: Carbon is the latest installment in the Need for Speed series, borrowing the same engine as its predecessor. Carbon is the first in the Need for Speed series to be released for all next-generation consoles.

It features a selection of cars from its predecessors; with some omissions as well, but also incorporating many new additions including the Audi BMW Le Mans Quattro, the Chrysler 300C SRT 8, Chevrolet's Chevelle SS and the Toyota MR2. Another feature is the inclusion of Canadian actress and model Emmanuelle Vaugier as Nikki, the player's main source of help and ally in the Career storyline.

A great aspect of the game is Carbon's crew aspects. While you'll be racing one-on-one in Canyon Duels, those only make for about 25% of the races in Carbon, with the majority of the game taking place in its open-world environment. This is where the bulk of the story will take place and its here that you'll build up your own crew. Details are a little scarce on exactly how you'll gain members, how you'll manage them and so forth, but we do know that you'll be able to choose who joins your racing team and each member will be able to increase their skills as the game progresses.

Each member has two of six skills, one off the track and one on. For racing, a crew member will be classified as a Blocker, Scout or Drafter. During a race you'll be able to tell your teammate to perform their ability a few times per race (as to not overdo it) and help you get ahead. They're able to win races for you, but you're the main focus so they're present more for support and will drop back to help you out even if it means losing a few positions.

Carbon debuted at number one on the UK All Format Gaming Chart on its first week of release, beating Konami's Pro Evolution Soccer 6. Even if driving around in a car isn’t your idea of a great game, give it a try. I wasn’t too excited by the prospect of playing it, simply because car games aren’t of much interest to me. However it certainly grabbed my interest with both hands and made me think twice about judging games because of their genre, especially one of this quality. Thumbs up from me.

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James Henderson